Much of the information for this document has been trawled from the various linux newsgroups. I am sorry I did not keep a record of everyone who has indirectly contributed by this route, thank you all very much.

So, to sum up:

Even cheap 3 button Microsoft mice can be made to work.

Configure your copy of X to expect a Mouse Systems mouse.

Hold down the left button at power-on to switch the mouse to MouseSystems mode.